Qld government commits $16 million following midwifery rally to address workforce issues
The Queensland government has pledged $16 million for regional, remote and rural Midwifery Group Practices (MGPs), as well as creating the role of a state Chief Midwife to help navigate the profession’s ongoing issues, following protest action outside Parliament House this week. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) and the Australian College of Midwives […]
Queensland midwives rally following unsafe workload audit
In an unprecedented action, Queensland midwives rallied outside Parliament House yesterday calling for urgent state government midwifery funding. It follows a recent audit of Queensland maternity inpatient wards which found single midwives are being left to care for up to 20 mothers and babies at a time. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU, ANMF […]
‘Insider knowledge’ helps midwives get the maternity care and birth outcomes they want
Midwives’ professional experience, insider knowledge and ability to draw on colleagues and friends for support and care can help them get the maternity care and birth outcomes they want, a new Australian study has found. Exploring midwives’ childbirth preferences and outcomes when giving birth to their first child, after qualifying as a midwife, the national […]
Midwives under pressure
Midwives are facing significant issues with staffing across Australia. ANMF Branches have reported unmanageable workloads in postnatal wards, poor staffing skill mix, midwives being replaced with other health practitioners, burnout, decreasing job satisfaction, moral injury and vicarious trauma. There are concerns these issues are resulting in increased intrapartum intervention, insufficient and fragmented postnatal care and […]
Professor Caroline Homer appointed Chair of the Council of the NHMRC
Professor Caroline Homer appointed Chair of the Council of the NHMRC
Continence care for pregnant and birthing women: An example of how midwives can make a difference
Best practice occurs when midwives continually reflect on how they provide daily clinical care and ask questions about current options and treatment available to women. Continually reflecting enables midwives to offer and provide optimal care but also identify any sub-optimal care. This continual process assists midwives in meeting the individual needs of women or a […]
Infant formula manufacturers at it again
Research has clearly identified breastmilk as the ideal nutrition for optimal growth and development, with numerous health-protecting qualities for both mother and infant widely established.1 It is also recognised that there are circumstances where breastmilk substitutes are medically indicated or the preferred choice for families. Whilst the promotion of breastfeeding is an inherent and essential […]
The role of midwives in testing for HIV and hepatitis in early pregnancy
The role of midwives in testing for HIV and hepatitis in early pregnancy
Campaign highlights importance of breastfeeding support during COVID-19
When the global COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold, the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) moved its support services, including breastfeeding education classes and local support groups, online. Now, the country’s peak body for breastfeeding has launched a new support campaign, ABA is here for you, to continue helping families and mothers struggling to access the […]
Meet the world’s leading midwifery researcher
Meet the world’s leading midwifery researcher